Swiss star says guarantees over game time saw him move to the San Siro

Xherdan Shaqiri says two phone calls from Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini saw him choose a move to the San Siro over a switch to Liverpool during the January transfer window.

Shaqiri was linked with a move to The Reds before joining the Serie A side in the mid-season window from Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

The Switzerland international's move already appears justified having scored twice in eight appearances in all competitions and the 23-year-old explains guarantees over his involvement from Mancini saw him rebuff interest from Liverpool.

"Then there were two phone calls from Mancini. We had two good chats. I immediately felt like I would be very important for him.

"At my age, what interested me most was the chance to play regularly, which hadn't happened a lot lately.

"Mancini explained to me that I would see a lot of time on the pitch. He spoke about his philosophy and that of the club, and his desire to take Inter back to its glorious recent past."

Inter owner Erik Thohir had initially stated that Shaqiri's move to the club was motivated by the club's illustrious history as three time winners of the Champions League.

"Inter are a big club, no different from Liverpool: just the same. That's why I'm not surprised that Shaqiri chose to sign for Inter," Thohir told Goal.com.

"We have a great history behind us. We won the Champions League three times and we are the only one in Italy that have never been relegated from Serie A."

Liverpool did not make a single addition during the January window despite enquiring over recalling Divock Origi from his season-long loan spell at Lille, but that has made little difference to the club's form with Brendan Rodgers' side unbeaten in 12 games.

Though Shaqiri is regarded as one of the most exciting players in Europe, the wealth of attacking options available to Liverpool means his career could have stifled at Anfield with Lazar Markovic, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho all occupying his favoured position.